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Ukrainian star Andriy Yarmolenko is overcome with emotion after scoring for West Ham in win over Aston Villa as he sinks to his knees and dedicates goal to victims of Ukraine war

Few goals that have been scored in this stadium will have been greeted as loudly or sparked as much emotion as the one that broke the deadlock in this game.

It came from Andriy Yarmolenko in his first appearance since returning to the fold after being granted compassionate leave and missing West Ham’s last four games with his country under siege following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Exactly what Yarmolenko has been through in recent weeks is impossible to truly grasp but his celebration and the release of emotion was perhaps a small indication.

Andriy Yarmolenko (centre) dedicated his goal to the victims of the war in Ukraine
The Ukraine international celebrated emotionally after putting the Hammers ahead

The winger sunk to his knees and pointed to the sky before being mobbed in the latest show of support from teammates who have witnessed his pain first-hand.